The situation with the coronavirus epidemic has changed over the past few days and the epidemic area currently covers mainland China, Iran, South Korea and all of Italy.

More than 2,000 cases in total have been diagnosed in Italy by 3 March, most of which have been recorded in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto. The majority of the cases have been diagnosed during the past two weeks.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has updated its health care guidelines based on the new information. Rapid identification of cases is important so that measures can be taken to prevent other people from contracting the disease.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs currently recommends avoiding unnecessary travel in the Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto regions.

Instructions for those that have been in the epidemic areas

If you have travelled in the epidemic area and are experiencing sudden symptoms of a respiratory tract infection such as fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of leaving the region, do the following:

Always first contact the emergency clinic of your local hospital or health centre by phone. You will receive instructions on how to seek treatment.

Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing. Immediately put the used handkerchief in the rubbish bin.

If you don't have a handkerchief, cough or sneeze onto the upper part of the arm of your sweater, not into your hands.

THL is monitoring and assessing the situation together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). THL will provide information and instructions as the situation develops: Latest information on coronavirus COVID-19.